Jori, What Now?

Carlon Brown a former professional athlete from the overseas basketball community recently posted about his need to redirect his efforts towards his family and other things because his consulting business @pointadvising wasn't sustainable. Ive seen this happen in a few cases and it really triggered me because I know how important individuals like Carlon are to the community. Yet, the only way for us to sustain is together. My assumption is if more current athletes support the former athletes by using our likeness, and actually hiring them and not looking for free insights we will eventually empower individuals that can go into the decision making rooms and advocate for change on our behalf. I could be wrong. They say representation matters. In the sports industry case I believe more athletes in business positions is a win for the community. Its up to us though to elevate them.  

Over the years i've found myself connected to Italian culture and found it strange that the universe always brought someone tied to Italian heritage into my life. My high-school best friend was Italian, college best-friend part Italian, and now i'm entering my 5th year in one of my favorite countries Italy. Lets not forget my family loves Italy! Just before arriving to Italy for my 11th professional season I found out a cousin of mine did her ancestry and discovered Italian roots. Living abroad without basketball being the key determining factor has been on my mind a lot lately. Discovering the truth about my ancestry just seems more important as of late. Hopefully you all could give me some insight into where I start with this process. Any companies y'all recommend?

This Shit is Hard! Building community from the ground up isn't easy. Shifting a whole business model isn't easy, but what I wont do is take the easy way out and shift my focus to the commercial side and use my likeness to gather a heard of athletes to sell off. I've been told countless times I am the minority when it comes to athletes that try to balance both and invest time into elevating the industry for the next generation. Usually, after that comment comes the pitch for me to use my voice to gather the sheep and have them follow a path that leads to me making a buck. Hell to the Naw!! I know many that are using this business model and it works because for now as athletes we haven't started to validate the people and resources we promote. Regardless if I fail being loyal to the athlete, one thing I cant do is sell out. My ancestors blessing would stop flowing if I did that!!! Im dedicated to the elevation of athletes and helping us all be the talent and the executive. 

I get honest and vulnerable about wanting to build community, about wanting to work with people who look like me so that we can all win together, yet at the same time how I feel scared whenever I sit down in front of my people to share my dreams which has me wondering why do I feel this way, will we ever win together? 

Lately, I've been wondering if they'll ever let me sit at the big table. I look in the mirror and see a dark-skinned, Black woman with dreads from New Orleans and I don't see people who look like me in the sports tech I know I belong in. What do I need to do? Or am I just wasting my time? 

Been thinking about this for a bit. Especially this past year with all the racial reckoning that went down. And I really had to be like, "Jori, you really might be prejudiced against white people." Like is it wrong for me to look at interracial couples and think like what's really going on there? Or to not trust white people easily in the sport and professional worlds? It's something I'm aware of and it's something I want to work on but I would be lying if I told you it was easy. 

10 years of pro ball in the books. Now what? Have I seen too much, do I know too much about the game beyond the game to still love the game? What's my motivation anymore? Or should I still push forward like I've always done to prepare for the next phase. What y'all think? 

I try my best to do what's right by us and I'm always down to help anyone from the community when they reach out. But when it's me that needs some help, feels like ain't nobody around. Am I right or wrong to feel this?

Just turned 32 last month. A bit in my feels about being somewhat recently single. Wondering like what about kids? And questioning if my lifestyle, passions, and career are getting in the way of all that. 

Another season with COVID made me realize even more how much we athletes are alone in all of this. Just trying to figure out how we can make things better.